GALION — The Tyler Sanders era started exactly as it was pictured for the Galion Tigers boys’ basketball team to start the season.
Sanders, in his first year as the head coach after spending five years at Crestline, is officially 1-0 as a Tiger after they opened the season with a 68-55 Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference win over Clear Fork (0-2, 0-1 MOAC).
“As a coach especially at a new place, you’re just always worried about that first game,” explained Sanders following the season-opening conference win. “I was proud of the way our kids played.”
When you return two big-time scorers in seniors Cooper Kent and Elijah Chafin, you’re going to be able to score points. Galion did just that and was able to rest their starters for the majority of the fourth quarter.
Things got started with a 20-14 lead for the Tigers, who connected on 11 three-pointers against the Colts. Kent had six of his 26 points through three quarters and Chafin chipped in 17. Quinn Miller nailed a pair of three-pointers in the opening eight minutes for Galion.
“I thought it was really special to watch the kids respond the way they did to how hard we worked in the preseason,” Sanders said.
Going into halftime, the game was within striking distance for Clear Fork. The Colts trailed just 35-27. Garrett Hotz, Grant Spencer, and Logan Richmond were all key contributors in the first half for Clear Fork. Hotz ended up with a game-high 27 points and he was joined by Richmond with 10 points each in the first half.
The third quarter is where it all clicked for Galion, and they showed the team they can be when shots are falling, and they limit scoring on the other end. The Tigers outscored the Colts 23-4 in the third quarter to take a commanding 58-31 lead into the final eight minutes.
“It was really cool coming out of the half like that,” said Sanders. “You never know if you play decent in the first half, but are we going to be complacent?”
Kent had 12 of his 26 points in the third quarter, including four three-pointers. The senior made multiple acrobatic shots that most high school players wouldn’t have the green light on, but that’s why he is one of the best shooters this part of the state has to offer.
“Our shooting wasn’t great, theirs was fantastic,” Clear Fork head coach Tim Brafford said. “I thought we played a good game; the defense was good. Sometimes you just have to tip your hat. They have some great players.”
It wasn’t just the shooting and scoring that was working for Kent. He wanted to step up and guard the toughest player on Clear Fork, according to Sanders.
“I know he loves the game of basketball and I know that he wants to get to the next level. I really challenged him.”
The fourth quarter is where Hotz put the Colts on his back and brought them back to make it a closer game. Hotz’s physicality helped him score 15 points in the final quarter. Overall, the Colts held a 24-10 margin over Galion in the final quarter.
“We have to give Galion credit, they had their bench players in,” admitted Brafford. “We still had our starters trying to come back. I thought that we played harder when our back was against the wall.”
Clear Fork (0-2, 0-1 MOAC) turned the ball over 14 times compared to just single-digit turnovers for the Tigers. Galion was 9-of-11 from the free throw line, while the Colts were just 7-of-14.
Steven Glew added 8 points and 6 rebounds for the Tigers and Coen Fuson finished with 7 points. Miller had 6 points to start his junior season.
Richmond dropped in 10 points for the Colts and Spencer added 7 points. Adam Vanausdle scored 7 points for Clear Fork.
Clear Fork opened their season with a 78-52 loss at the hands of Lexington on Dec. 1. They’re back in action on Dec. 15 at Marion Pleasant.
Galion travels to take on tough MOAC foe Shelby (2-0, 1-0 MOAC) on Saturday. The Whippets are coming off a 41-29 win over Marion Harding.
Box score
Galion 68, Clear Fork 55
Clear Fork 14 13 4 24 — 55
Galion 20 15 23 10 — 68
Clear Fork: (0-2, 0-1 MOAC) Shots 22; 3-pt shots 4 (Garrett Hotz 2, Adam Vanausdle, Grant Spencer); Free throws 7-14; Rebounds N/A; Turnovers N/A. Scoring: Adam Vanausdle 3 0 7, Garrett Hotz 10 5 27, Grant Spencer 3 0 7, Beau Dornbirer 1 0 2, Logan Richmond 4 2 10, Marcus Hoeflich 1 0 2.
Galion: (1-0, 1-0 MOAC): Shots 24; 3-pt. shots 11 (Cooper Kent 6, Chaffin 2, Quin Miller 2, Coen Fuson); Free throws 9-11; Rebounds N/A; Turnovers N/A. Scoring: Coen Fuson 2 2 7, Elijah Chafin 6 3 17, Steven Glew 3 2 8, Cooper Kent 9 2 26, Quinn Miller 2 0 6, Dom Capretta 1 0 2, Jaxon Manley 1 0 2.